Creoqode, a London-based company known for making DIY gadgets, is launching its new project on the crowdfunding platform Kickstarter. Named Lyra this handheld device is powered by a Raspberry Pi CM3L (Compute Module 3 Lite) that claims to "virtually emulate any game console of the classic era" (think RetroPie). The Lyra comes in two different versions; a fully assembled one at £179 and a DIY version at £149 (somewhat akin the MAKERbuino). Both versions of the console boast the following specs:

• SOC: Broadcom BCM2837B0, Cortex-A53 (ARMv8) 64-bit SoC
• CPU: 1.4GHz 64-bit quad-core ARM Cortex-A53 CPU
• RAM: 1GB LPDDR2 SDRAM
• Display: 5" TFT LCD 800 x 480 Resolution
• Video: DPI Interface & HDMI
• Audio: Integrated Speaker, 3.5 mm Audio Output & HDMI
• USB: Micro USB 2.0
• Memory: 16 GB Micro SD Card. Upgradable to any memory size.
• Battery: 3000 mAh LiPo

While the handheld packs a 5 inch, 800 x 480 display, it can also be hooked to a monitor via HDMI and since it operates via a Raspberry Pi board, Lyra can double as a personal computer.

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While situating itself on the pricey end of the DIY spectrum, the Lyra is worth keeping an eye out for, especially if you are into DIY-ing or want to learn more about the intricacies of video game hardware and software development. The handheld will come with a comprehensive tutorial series guiding users about hardware, software and assembly.

Founder of Creoqode, Cem Eltutar, says that “While bringing back the nostalgia of classic video gaming in your pocket, Lyra also provides a fundamental education about hardware and software. Assembling Lyra makes users familiar with the components of a game console and their working principles. Installing an OS and being able to code video games from scratch provides the first step towards software design.”

Of note, Lyra's Kickstarter campaign has nearly doubled its £30,000 goal at the time of writing, meaning that the product will come to fruition.

What do you think of the Lyra? Will you be interested in DIY-ing one for yourself?

Lyra Kickstarter Campaign

 

[osaka35]

if it can play windows games, it might be very good for those old games with no hd resoulutios

It uses pi3 as its base, so it uses arm9. Won't be able to run any x86/PC games, unfortunately

I doubt Wine would help much.

 

[Deleted User]

Dragonbox Pyra is the one I want and I'll never be able to afford it, tbh I don't think this console is very exciting, seeing as it's not a GBA SP.
Here's what I want.
https://www.reddit.com/r/raspberry_pi/comments/anu7wo/my_gameboy_sp_raspberry_pi_3_a/

 

[Deleted User]

I will one day get banned for double posting if I dont get my self a beter keyboard sory

 

[notimp]

Great product I found on indigogo today:

Its an ingenious product, which does exactly the opposite that the entire beauty industry wanted you to do with building up moisture in the lipid layer for decades.



And its only 109 USD!

And look how targeted you can apply it!

And look at the video, to find a perfect representation of how (influencer) marketing works.

Also - could I interest you in some part time vacation home shares in Alaska?

 

[XDel]

So four shoulder buttons or is this just SNES capable like all the rest?

 

[Fugelmir]

It looks like a vita born with fetal alcohol syndrome.

 

[RivenMain]

I read 480p and 1gb ddr2 and I don't even need to know the rest to know this is gar bage. 200$ I could buy a 3ds for half that easy same for ps vita/ psp. A Gpd 2 runs at boost 2.6 ghz and has 8gb of memory. WITH a 720p touch screen keyboard, buttons and sticks. If any money's going into this it's the creators trying to lure people to put money into it because nobody should buy that junk.

 

[Fat D]

1) Advertising emulation is kinda awkward for a commercial product, since hardly anyone gets the roms for old games like the Pi can emulate legally

2) Nothing about wireless connectivity? Even the A+ has it, that is pretty much the only real feature an I/O board might add. Sure, you get a screen and some buttons, but that severely restricts its value as anything but a box for retro emulation, in which it is probably barely better than a hacked 3DS

3) At least it is probably upgradable once the CM4 comes out, but again, lack of networking capability (other than USB adapters that get in the way of hands) seems a bit of a deal breaker.

 

[Deleted User]

It uses pi3 as its base, so it uses arm9. Won't be able to run any x86/PC games, unfortunately

I doubt Wine would help much.

I was fortunate enough to get Exagear Desktop before it went under. It was only good for some really light fan games but there was hope for it. sadly it was paid and noone in tth open soucre community has a good alternative (it was faster than qemu because it got rid of an extra layer or something like that - syscall i think it was.)
Sorry for my retarded typing, I'm eating chips and touching all over my type cover right now.

 

[GoldenBullet]

These portable retro consoles don't make sense. If you have the money to spend on this then you probably have a phone that is better spec'ed than this. You could use that money to buy a controller attachment for your phone. Seriously, just get this instead. Recent flagship phones can emulate up to the Wii Era. Older/budget phones can emulate up to the psp. Ever more is the amount of console ports of games on the play store that don't have high spec requirements. Heck, if you want a separate handheld for gaming, you can get a used psp or 3ds that are definitely going to last longer than this device.

 

[TheRealNGB]

I understand this is meant for pi/retro gaming enthusiasts, but in all honesty you could connect an ipega bluetooth controller to any android phone and get similar functionality, with better controls, resolutions, etc.

 

[Deleted User]

Why not just use a New 2DS XL? All models are hackable due to a hardware fault which Nintendo isn't bothering to fix. If this thing used the Raspberry Pi 4 and could emulate N64 and PS1 games then I might recommend it.

 

[IncredulousP]

Because this worked out so well last time...

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

Why not just use a New 2DS XL? All models are hackable due to a hardware fault which Nintendo isn't bothering to fix. If this thing used the Raspberry Pi 4 and could emulate N64 and PS1 games then I might recommend it.

I mean, the Compute Pi 3 can emulate N64 and PS1, better than the 3DS can (though N64 is hit or miss, depending on the game. But that's just cuz shitty N64 emulation in general). Assuming the Pi 4 Compute model uses the same DDR2 SODIMM form factor, it would also be extremely easy to upgrade.

PPSSPP and Reicast are the only two that are mostly "iffy" with the Pi 3 (though quite a few DC/PSP games are pretty playable) everything below that though is pretty much perfectly playable.

The biggest problem with this, though, is no analog sticks and seemingly no shoulder buttons, so you'll be limited on PS1/N64 games.

 

[HarveyHouston]

Raspberry Pi? I've always been interested in one of those. I'd get it for the Pi, if nothing else! Also, the fact that it can transform into a do-it-yourself handheld is a plus. Very ingenious, but how many people in the U.S. would order one of those? I imagine not very many. Most people in this day-and-age prefer something pre-made, like a Windows computer. The idea of a computer kit would sound daunting to them. That's why it's important that Millenials and Generation Z-ers need to learn how to put things together. It teaches them that not everything comes in a neat little package with a bow on top (hypothetically speaking). Not that it's not an important skill for everyone, but it would be easier to teach the younger generations than that 60-year-old guy who's set in his ways and complains about his beer getting too warm when it's been out of the fridge for two minutes!

 

[CMDreamer]

Too pricey for a piracy focused "DIY console"...

 

[LucasM3]

Too expensive. They should have targeted sub $100.

 

[Veho]

People saying this kit is too expensive don't really understand the market for this type of product.
The MintyPi, a Raspberry Pi Zero based handheld built into an Altoids tin, costs $150 for the parts that you then have to assemble yourself, or $275 and more for a prebuilt console, and people are paying that much for a console that is virtually unplayable due to its size, and is more of a hobby project / proof of concept than an actual everyday use gaming handheld. Put that into perspective. At least the Lyra looks comfortable and has better specs.

 

[Silent_Gunner]

Just seems like a pre-release version of the Nintendo Switch Mini. (The price.) Which will outclass this thing once that one can be hacked. Which, I know for a fact it will after a while it will.

Which will be outclassed by the Mariko Switch refresh.

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Wait, this uses a RP Zero? Eww. Too weak for anything more than SNES.

Damn. At least try to fit an ODroid XU4 in there. There's my SBC of choice before the RPi4...trades blows with it? Outdoes it? I guess we'll wait and see. It sure does seem more powerful atm, though.

 

[raxadian]

So... expect a guide on how to make your own either here on in Ars technica.

Is based on a Raspberry Pi CM3L, besides being portable it has nothing to offer, and people can get more or less the same hacking a Switch or a Vita.

 

[the_randomizer]

So... expect a guide on how to make your own either here on in Ars technica.

Is based on a Raspberry Pi CM3L, besides being portable it has nothing to offer, and people can get more or less the same hacking a Switch or a Vita.

A Switch costs 300 dollars, how much does this cost?